Author Topic: First swarm 2018 (Read 4905 times)

BeeMaster2 · « **on:** March 20, 2018, 07:37:54 am »

I received a call from a friend who had a swarm of bees on a tree in his back yard. He lives about an hours drive from here. He called me right after his son found it and then called him. I debated going that far for a swarm but it was a very gloomy day yesterday and it was supposed to rain. I figured the odds were not good for them to take off in that weather so we loaded up the truck and went to get them. They were about 11 feet up on a 3? limb, just above a split in the tree. I used a rope and shook most of them off the tree but they missed the hive box. They climbed up the side of the box but never went in. We spent several hours using a dust pan to scoop up the bees and put them in the box. It was raining the whole time we were working on this swarm. I put them in 2 medium old drawn comb boxes. I was glad I took 2 boxes because they would not fit in just one. We never did see the queen, I am just hoping she is in there. We will inspect it on the first day of BeeFest to see if there are eggs.
Jim

GSF · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2018, 08:21:24 am »

Jim, there's been a couple swarms around this area. Mine haven't swarmed yet - that I know of.

Acebird · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2018, 09:39:37 am »

Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 20, 2018, 07:37:54 am

We will inspect it on the first day of BeeFest to see if there are eggs.
Jim

Do you have a queen or a cell to put in if not?

tjc1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2018, 09:59:04 am »

Man - the IDEA of a swarm in March... it's 27 degrees here this morning and I'm sure that swarming could only bee a distant dream in my hives' collective consciousnesses!

Johnny · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2018, 11:41:36 am »

In West Texas we had a swarm the first part of February it was 70 degrees. We put it in a hive and put feed for them 2 days later it got down to 11 degrees at night the swarm didn't make the night.
I checked hive entrances yesterday and saw pollen coming in. I don't know where they are getting it from we haven't had rain since november 24 so it is dry and only bitterweed is blooming
now.

Bush_84 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2018, 03:32:14 pm »

I definitely have the itch to get out there. We just got a couple inches of snow last night. At least we are starting to get some consistent 30 and 40 degree days. I built more swarm traps this year. The traps away from my house are using scrap comb, lemongrass oil in a sealed pipette, and slumgum smeared everywhere I could. My home traps will have drawn comb that contains more drone comb than I?d like to use in my hives along with the other goodies. Fingers crossed for another swarm. I figure hanging five will increase my odds.

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2018, 06:19:54 pm »

I do have frames of eggs available but they have been orienting to this hive all day. I can see 4 frames full of bees in the top super. The bottom box is probably full. It was a large hive. I will bee checking for pollen coming in later.
Jim

eltalia · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2018, 08:26:40 pm »

Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 20, 2018, 07:37:54 am

I received a call from a friend who had a swarm of bees on a tree in his
back yard. He lives about an hours drive from here.
(edit)
Jim

... one part of the planet is going to thank you for going the
extra mile, Jim... well done fella :)

Bill

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2018, 12:23:42 am »

Thanks Bill.

jtcmedic · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2018, 08:34:35 pm »

Glad you got a swarm, hope you get some more

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2018, 10:23:56 pm »

Quote from: jtcmedic on March 21, 2018, 08:34:35 pm

Glad you got a swarm, hope you get some more

Thanks. Yea, me too. 🤗

eltalia · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2018, 06:32:53 am »

Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 21, 2018, 10:23:56 pm

Quote from: jtcmedic on March 21, 2018, 08:34:35 pm
Glad you got a swarm, hope you get some more

Thanks. Yea, me too. 🤗

Yes, ditto.. I recall you have some rebuilding to do.
The OH still going well as it warms up? SHB?

Bill

Beeboy01 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2018, 11:22:14 am »

A buddy of mine over in Ormond Beach had a swarm move into some equipment last week and I have a huge hive that is going to get split this weekend. Strange weather so far this year, first hot then cold.

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2018, 12:54:49 am »

We inspected the swarm hive this morning as part of BeeFest. The bees are cover 6 drawn frames in the bottom box and 6 frames in the top box. We only looked at 3 frames and found eggs, and cells with royal jelly and we found the queen. Crazy thing is that she is a marked queen with a red dot. Robo took pictures, hopefully he can post one.
Jim

eltalia · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2018, 01:34:22 am »

Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 24, 2018, 12:54:49 am

Crazy thing is that she is a marked queen with a red dot....

WHOO Hooooooo...!!... SCORE

That hadta make you smile, a valued queen!?
mmm.. "red dot"..?.. could it possibly bee bePro's lady
rebranded by those deceitfull pesky Russkys.
An' she is trying to come home... like Lassie??
I wonder

Sooo.. I hace not kept up with the BeeFest thing as not
that I am not interested but more of my days of airtravel
are well past, what with one thing an' another.
There is also that image us Aussies get of an old fart
swinging in his chair on the porch, sawnoff across the lap,
and a quart of 'shine resting against the dungeree covered
chest. I think it's the gappy toothed wry grin over that
bug-eyed expression as he reaches for his hat that puts us
off visitin' like, an that :-)))

A lot of protective text wall to ask if... everyone is chowin' down
on Gator steaks and happy enough washin' it down with homebrew
rye beer - air temperature of course :-)
Is there gunna be video..!.. yes Please :-))))

Bill

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2018, 07:26:42 am »

Thanks Bill.
Hopefully we will have videos. Robo has been video taping and Scott and Peggy are on their way and they will also have their camper. We also have a lot of photos being shot.
Jim

eltalia · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2018, 08:31:04 am »

Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 24, 2018, 07:26:42 am

Thanks Bill.
Hopefully we will have videos. Robo has been video taping and S
Scott and Peggy are on their way and they will also have their camper.
We also have a lot of photos being shot.
Jim

You fellas jes make sure y'all stay safe and enjoy yourselves.
Cheers.

Bill

derekNGA · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2018, 07:46:36 am »

Had been cooler and very windy here in middle Georgia the last few days. Yesterday (Saturday) began a little cool and overcast and windy. As soon as the sun came about 2 pm all of a sudden theres a swarm in the yard. I suspect its one of my strongest hives but I have no idea. Wife and myself had been outside all day within 40 yards of them, so it was a surprise to look and see them clustered. Now they are in a hive box and seem to be taking to it nicely.

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2018, 10:20:54 pm »

Congratulations Derek.
Jim

Van, Arkansas, USA · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2018, 10:51:01 pm »

Glad you fellas catching swarms, that?s exciting!!! Jim a red dot thus a 2018 queen. Did you buy a lottery ticket, with your luck you should have.
Blessings

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2018, 10:55:16 pm »

Van,
Thanks.
Not sure if the red was correctly marked. We talked about that and several of us at Beefest do not mark for the year, we used colors that we could easily see.
Jim

jalentour · « **Reply #21 on:** March 27, 2018, 12:27:20 am »

Swarms?
I'm still trying to keep my bees alive from winter!

Robo · « **Reply #22 on:** March 27, 2018, 11:02:40 am »

Here she is Jim.

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 27, 2018, 09:48:24 pm »

Rob, the picture did not post. Please repost it. I will add it to my records.
Jim

tycrnp · « **Reply #24 on:** March 28, 2018, 09:08:17 pm »

We've got a swarm in 1 of our 3 traps.

How long do you leave the trap to let them get settled? Do you wait until evening to get the trap so most of the foragers are home?

Acebird · « **Reply #25 on:** March 28, 2018, 09:14:11 pm »

I have never caught a swarm but I would wait until they pull wax. If the queen lays eggs then you are definitely good.

Waveeater · « **Reply #26 on:** March 28, 2018, 10:48:30 pm »

I try and give them at least 3 days. Sometimes a week or more if that works for me. I usually have several frames of pulled comb in the trap ahead of time. I had very good luck last year with my traps and they all stayed. I had to give some a frame of brood and I made sure to give them plenty of food. I moved the majority of mine late in the afternoon or at night. Good luck.

tycrnp · « **Reply #27 on:** March 28, 2018, 11:00:53 pm »

At our local club meting they recommended empty, foundationless frames as the bees would be more likely to move in. I'll make sure to put some frames of pulled comb, and maybe some brood, when I transfer them to a hive. Thanks!

Robo · « **Reply #28 on:** March 29, 2018, 10:55:24 am »

I run 4 foundationless frames with wires and 1 drawn brood comb. I leave them at least a week to settle before I move them. This gives them time to draw comb down to the wires and for the queen to start laying.

https://youtu.be/92EgotwfZCA

Ben Framed · « **Reply #29 on:** March 29, 2018, 11:12:53 am »

Quote from: Robo on March 29, 2018, 10:55:24 am

I run 4 foundationless frames with wires and 1 drawn brood comb. I leave them at least a week to settle before I move them. This gives them time to draw comb down to the wires and for the queen to start laying

https://youtu.be/92EgotwfZCA

This was a very intresting video and educational as well. Thanks for posting. Phillip

Ben Framed · « **Reply #30 on:** February 24, 2024, 04:17:03 pm »

Terri Yaki I thought of you when I ran across this topic.

Phillip

Terri Yaki · « **Reply #31 on:** February 24, 2024, 04:48:16 pm »

Other than the swarms that I've seen at my neighbor's, I've only seen a couple in all my years. I was unaware that they are all this common.

Michael Bush · « **Reply #32 on:** February 26, 2024, 05:52:31 am »

Left to their own most colonies swarm most years. Some colonies swarm multiple times per year.

Terri Yaki · « **Reply #33 on:** February 26, 2024, 08:47:34 am »

I could easily see myself meddling around with splitting hives and breeding queens. It sounds easy enough. Is there much of a market for nucs and queens in a given area?

Michael Bush · « **Reply #34 on:** February 26, 2024, 10:08:58 am »

There is always a market for nucs and packages and queens.

cao · « **Reply #35 on:** February 26, 2024, 01:05:13 pm »

Quote from: Terri Yaki on February 24, 2024, 04:48:16 pm

Other than the swarms that I've seen at my neighbor's, I've only seen a couple in all my years. I was unaware that they are all this common.

Quote from: Michael Bush on February 26, 2024, 05:52:31 am

Left to their own most colonies swarm most years. Some colonies swarm multiple times per year.

It is really easy to miss seeing a swarm. If you are not near the hive when they leave(15-20 min.) or when they are landing on or leaving their temporary stop(again about 15 min.), you may not notice anything at all. Also it only takes a few minutes for them to disappear into their new home.

Terri Yaki · « **Reply #36 on:** February 26, 2024, 01:24:08 pm »

Quote from: cao on February 26, 2024, 01:05:13 pm

It is really easy to miss seeing a swarm. If you are not near the hive when they leave(15-20 min.) or when they are landing on or leaving their temporary stop(again about 15 min.), you may not notice anything at all. Also it only takes a few minutes for them to disappear into their new home.

You can say that again. Last year I was out in my garage and I heard a buzzing sound at the same time my phone went off with a text from my neighbor. He was alerting me to a swarm that he saw headed my way but by the time I got outside, it was gone.

Michael Bush · « **Reply #37 on:** February 27, 2024, 05:46:57 am »

Also it's difficult to tell if they have swarmed. Sometimes it's obvious by the loss of bees, but the bees time everything so there are a lot of emerging bees at the time so the population often seems back to normal in a few days.

Author Topic: First swarm 2018 (Read 4905 times)

Van, Arkansas, USA